What we've been up to

The week after school started, we darted off to Colorado Springs, CO for my sister's wedding at The Broadmoor. The four of us were in the wedding. I served as Matron of Honor for my sister, Bonnie. Brent was a groomsman. Cole was the ring bearer and Chloe was the flower girl. The kids did great. I was so proud of them.





There are so many great photos from the weekend and these that I've posted are just a few moblie uploads and a small glimpse into the weekend. Thursday there was a welcome party for all guests who had already gotten into town. Friday was the bridal luncheon, golf for the guys, tuxedo fittings, rehearsal and rehearsal dinner at Garden of the Gods. After the rehearsal dinner, we headed back to The Broadmoor for a party at Spec Spot. Saturday was a day full of getting ready for the wedding and lots of pictures. The wedding took place at 5:30pm Mountain Time, at the Lakeside Terrace. The ceremony was followed by a cocktail party out by the lake and then a beautiful reception inside. It was too much fun to even come close to explaining. We stayed until Monday afternoon b/f returning back to Midland. We were sad to leave but happy to get back to normalcy. So, now we're back to soccer...

School


And fun...

Goodbye baby... Hello big boy!

4 1/2 years ago, I was given the gift of becoming a Mommy. This title has changed my life in too many ways to count but the most important thing it did was to give me a purpose. Today marks the day that I say 'goodbye' to my little boy's babyhood and 'hello' to my big boy. Cole starts 4 year old preschool tomorrow, 5 days a week. It's almost just the same as having a child entering Kindergarten because he'll be away from me just as much and just as long. It makes me so sad to know that my baby won't be with me at all during the course of the day. For 4 1/2 years, I have spent close to every day with my Cole. He has gone to school some of those days, but nothing compares to 5 days a week! I have cherished our time together and am so blessed to have been given so much precious time with that boy. Chloe will miss him being at home to play with so much and that is hard too. But... this also marks a new beginning. Cole Thomas Lunsford, you are ready for this! You are ready to learn and to grow in ways that Mommy can't teach you, so it's time that you spend your days at school. I know that you will learn so much in this year that lies before you and I can already say that I am very proud of you, my sweetheart. You make me proud in all that you do and I can't wait to continue watching you grow into the smart, loving and wonderful man that you will become one day. Chloe and I will miss you being at home with us, but we'll be right there waiting at the school doors to give you big hugs, every single day that school lets out. I love you, Cole!

Colorado

We left last Sunday morning and drove to Colorado. We got up and left first thing... the kids still in their pjs and a quick stop for donuts on the way out of town. We stopped in Amarillo for lunch and then back in the car for 6 more hours. The kids honestly did so amazing. They behaved so well in the car, making our 9 hour drive to Colorado Springs very nice. We stayed with some friends Sunday and Monday night. On Monday we took the kids to the Colorado Springs Zoo which was the best zoo (BY FAR) that we have ever been too. Here are a few pics...





On Tuesday morning we headed up into the mountains to our family house that Brent's grandfather built back in the early 80's. It's always a special place to spend time, especially now that our kids are old enough to really have fun up there. We stayed until Friday. We played outside all day, played in the forest, sat by the campfire and enjoyed the cool weather and daily rain showers. Our kids really had a blast and enjoyed playing with their cousins who were also up at the house. On Friday we headed back to Colorado Springs for the night and went over to The Broadmoor for a visit. My sister is getting married there in September so I wanted to show Brent and the kids how beautiful it is there. We had a great time and then headed back to Midland on Saturday. We had another nice, uneventful drive home. I really look forward to spending time there again next summer. Here are a few pictures from up in the mountains...

Happy Birthday, Chloe!

Our big 2 year old had quite a fun week of celebrating! Time has just flown by and I can hardly believe our princess is 2. I made cupcakes for sweet girl's party...

We had a Minnie Mouse themed party at a local gymnastics place and they kids had a blast. A friend of mine who has a local cake ball business made Minnie Mouse cake ball pops that we gave as party favors. I must say that they were quite the hit. It was the easiest favor I have ever given out for the kids parties and I think I'll stick with this idea. They are so yummy and were just precious! I also found these cute personalized cupcake toppers on etsy.com and they just completed the cupcakes. We had a great little party and Chloe LOVED all of her gifts. She got lots of baby dolls, baby doll accessories, costume jewelry and Minnie Mouse toys. She is one blessed little girl to have so many sweet friends that love her. It was a great week!

Last day of school

So today was the kid's last day of school. I have been dreading it for lots of reasons...
1. I will have to entertain every single day
2. I won't get a break
3. It makes me so sad

I don't know why by it makes me so sad when this day comes. It started with Cole and now I have two kids to be sad about. This school year, however marked a different importance and a different meaning. This school year was Chloe's first year to be in school. She did amazing! She thrived, grew in every way and made her very first friends. Her teachers were so sweet and loving. I am so sad that this year has come and gone. It started with my baby who was barely 1 year old, who couldn't walk or talk and ended with a little girl who runs, dances and talks my head off. She has become such a beautiful little soul who I adore more than words and I am thankful that her teachers taught her and cared for her this year.

For Cole, this year was very different and scary at first. He was old enough to understand that everything in his life was new. We had just barely moved to Midland, were living with my parents before finding a house, and he didn't have a single friend. Everything familiar in his life was gone and he was forced to start over. He did so well! He found some of his very best friends this year. These friends were the first people in his life that he had made on his own without his Momma forcing it upon him. All of his friends from the past 3 years had been b/c I was friends with their Moms. Cole has become so smart and learned so much at Hillander. His teacher was so caring and I always knew that she would take care of him. He learned how to write this year, among many other things and I just feel like he has turned into such a big boy. My baby turned 4 this school year and played his very first sport... t-ball. What fun that was and what fun we have to look forward to.

I think I am sad b/c my little one's lives are flashing before my eyes. I want them to grow into the beautiful people that God has made them to be but sometimes I wish that I could just freeze time. So instead of being sad, I think I'll settle for being grateful. I am so blessed to have been given the opportunity to be the Mommy to the two most important little people in my life. Cole and Chloe, you will always be my little ones. I will love you and cheer for you every step of the way during your journeys through life.

Mother's Day

My sweet Cole... words can't express what you have brought to my life. I never knew what loving so much it hurts meant until you were born. You have taught me about patience, true thankfulness to our Lord for the wonderful gift that you are and about the true meaning of family. You started our family as our first child and will always be my very special baby. At age 4, you have finally left the horrible 3's and into the world of being a big boy. You still have your moments, but overall... you are just a darling little boy. You say the funniest things so out of the blue and make me laugh out loud. You are your sister's hero and I think this is your most important role. She drives you crazy so much of the time, but the part of you that loves her so unconditionally really shines through. You take up for her, teach her so many leasons and are her very best friend. I can not thank you enough for the loving big brother you are to her. It is the most rewarding and beautiful thing to witness as a Mommy. You are loud, rowdy, sweet and sincere at the same time. You are everything that I ever wanted in a little boy and then some. So on this Mother's Day, I thank you for being my baby and I thank God for the gift he has given me. I love and adore you always!

My Chloe girl - I can't believe that you are 23 months old today. Today marks the last time I count how many months you are b/c on June 8th you will be 2 years old! Big girl! The past 23 months have been filled with such sweetness from you, my love. You have brought a new peace and gentleness to our family. You are the funniest little thing. You dance and shake your little bootie to any music. You worship Mickey and Minnie Mouse and have a new found love for Elmo aka... Melmo. You are talking so much these days and your sweet little words just melt my heart. I love watching you carry your purse around the house along with your baby dolls. You are one girly girl, but you aren't afraid to get dirty outside with your bubba. Cole is your hero. You watch his every move and will do anything he tells you to do. It is so sweet to see the relationship that has formed between the two of you. Chloe girl, you have touched my life in so many ways. I look forward to our relationship as Mother and Daughter and how it will grow every year, every day. Thank you for being my baby girl. Kisses to you my sweet thing!

I wanted to also share a little something that I thought was so sweet...

Children are like kites. You spend a lifetime trying to get them off the ground. You run with them until you're both breathless - they crash - you add a longer tail - they hit the rooftop - you pluck them out of the spout - you patch and comfort, adjust and teach. You watch them lifted by the wind and assure them that someday they'll fly! ... Finally they are airborne, but they need more string and you keep letting out and with each twist of the ball of twine, there is a sadness that goes with the joy because the kite becomes more distant and somehow you know that it won't be long before that beautiful creature will nap the life line that bound you together and soar as it was meant to soar - free and alone.

Thank you, Lord for the gift of being a Momma to my sweet babies. I pray that you will hold my hand as I teach them to fly and one day soar as they were meant to soar.

Easter Weekend Photos

Sweet Chloe waiting to head to the pool...

Silly girl

Easter Sunday...